Sonata in C for Keyboard and Violin (Mozart)
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Sonata in C for Keyboard and Violin, K. 6, is written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is one of his earliest works. It does in fact encompass several of Mozart's firsts as a composer, for example it is Mozart's first work incorperating the violin, it is his first work with more than a single instrument, and it is his first work in the form sonata. In fact, previous to this, all his works had been short solo-pieces for the harpsichord - this happens to also be his first piece with several movements.
It was composed by a budding Mozart between 1762 and 1764, the location of its composition is somewhat disputed; some suggest it was written in Salzburg, the boy's home town, others suggest Paris as a more likely location. Mozart would have been between 6 and 8 years of age when writing this piece; hence it is believed by many it was noted for the boy by his father, Leopold Mozart. Composed for the harpsichord (though it has since been performed, at times, using a piano) and violin, it is in a common key for the pre-1765 works - C major. The piece is his longest yet (13 minutes at a moderate tempo), it contains 5 movements:
- Allegro
- Andante
- Menuet I
- Menuet II
- Allegro molto
The keyboard and violin interact in various ways throughout the piece: the violin echoing the tune of the keyboard; the two moving in synchronisity; and the violin forming a tune with the keyboard forging a baseline. It is quite lively in atmosphere, with a single phrase being repeated numerously within a single movement. Mozart successfully employs Alberti bass.